The features of a “Prayer For Palm Sunday” may vary depending on the denomination or individual preferences, but they often include the following elements:
1. Acknowledgment of Jesus as the Savior: The prayer typically starts by acknowledging Jesus Christ’s role as the Savior, the one
Palm Sunday is a significant Christian holiday that marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna.” It’s a day of reflection, prayer, and celebration for Christians worldwide. As part of the observance, various prayers are recited and shared to honor this special day. One of the most powerful prayers for Palm Sunday is known as the “Blessing of the Palms” or the “Procession Prayer.”
The “Blessing of the Palms” prayer is recited during the Palm Sunday service as palm branches are blessed and distributed to the congregation. This prayer reminds Christians of the significance of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and his impending journey to the cross. It often includes references to the joyous crowd, the palm branches, and the hope and salvation that Jesus brings.
Here’s a traditional version of the “Blessing of the Palms” prayer:
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
This prayer reflects the enthusiasm and hope of the crowd that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with open arms. It’s a powerful reminder of the central theme of Palm Sunday – the arrival of the Messiah and the start of a transformative week in Christian history.
What is the Morning Prayer for Sunday Week 4?
The fourth Sunday of Lent, often referred to as Laetare Sunday, is a day of rejoicing and anticipation within the liturgical calendar. Laetare Sunday derives its name from the Latin word “laetare,” which means “rejoice.” On this day, Christians take a break from the somber tone of Lent and rejoice in the hope of Easter, which is just a few weeks away. The morning prayer for Sunday Week 4, therefore, reflects this sense of rejoicing and hope.
One of the commonly used morning prayers for Laetare Sunday is:
“Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.”
This prayer encapsulates the spirit of Laetare Sunday, where Christians are called to rejoice in the midst of their Lenten penance and look forward to the joy of Easter. It is a reminder that even in times of fasting and reflection, there is room for celebration and hope.
What is the Intercessory Prayer for Palm Sunday?
Intercessory prayer is an integral part of Christian worship, where believers offer prayers on behalf of others, seeking God’s blessings, mercy, and intervention in various situations. On Palm Sunday, intercessory prayers take on a special significance as they connect the themes of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the needs and concerns of the world.
An intercessory prayer for Palm Sunday might go like this:
“Lord, on this Palm Sunday, we come before you with our prayers for the world. We pray for peace in places torn by conflict and violence. May the spirit of unity and reconciliation that marked Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem be present in the hearts of all people.
We also intercede for those who are suffering and in need – the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and the marginalized. Just as Jesus showed compassion and healing to those in need, we ask for your mercy and healing for all who are afflicted.
Lord, we lift up our leaders and decision-makers, that they may be guided by wisdom and justice. May they work for the well-being of all, just as Jesus came to bring salvation to the world.
As we wave our palm branches in celebration, may we remember the true meaning of this day and be inspired to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We offer these prayers in His name. Amen.”
Intercessory prayers on Palm Sunday tie the celebration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with the current needs and challenges faced by the world, emphasizing the message of hope and compassion.
What is the Prayer for Palm Sunday 2023?
Palm Sunday, as a moveable feast, occurs on a different date each year, and it’s essential to have a specific prayer for the occasion, including the year. In 2023, Palm Sunday falls on April 9th, marking the beginning of Holy Week. On this day, Christians around the world come together to celebrate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and to prepare their hearts and minds for the events leading up to Easter Sunday.
A prayer for Palm Sunday in 2023 might be:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
As we gather on this Palm Sunday in the year 2023, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. We remember the triumphant entry of your Son, Jesus Christ, into Jerusalem, where He was greeted with shouts of ‘Hosanna’ and the waving of palm branches.
On this special day, we join in the celebration of that glorious moment in history, and we also reflect on the profound sacrifice that followed. Just as the crowd welcomed Jesus with joy, we welcome His presence into our lives, seeking His guidance, love, and grace.
Lord, as we enter into Holy Week, we ask for the strength to walk with Jesus on His journey to the cross, to witness the depth of His love for us, and to understand the significance of His sacrifice for our salvation. May the events of this week be a source of inspiration and transformation in our lives.
We also bring before you our hopes, our fears, and our supplications for the world. May the message of peace, love, and reconciliation that Jesus brought to Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday resonate in the hearts of all people.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer. Amen.”
This prayer for Palm Sunday 2023 acknowledges the specific year and encourages believers to reflect on the historical significance of the day and its relevance to their lives. It serves as a reminder of the central message of Palm Sunday – the arrival of the Savior and the journey toward salvation.
How often have we seen newspapers build people up only to suddenly turn nasty and demolish their reputations. Pop stars, royalty and and movie stars find this frequently. The crowds that rush out to buy their records, watch their weddings or go to their films, can all too quickly suddenly become a pack of baying wolves. Social media has of course made it worse, because the destructive words can be said behind a cloak of anonymity. Overnight reputations are ruined and lives and careers in tatters.
Jesus knew this. The crowds who lined the road to cheer him into Jerusalem would soon change and call for his blood. The disciples themselves were fickle and ran away when the going got tough. So this week we are asked what kind of Christians we are. Are we ‘fair weather’ friends of Jesus, or are we prepared to follow him through the difficult times as well?
Are we up to being disciples of Jesus, or are we just following Jesus to see if we can get something out of it? Are we happy to hang around just whilst the going is easy, or are we prepared to stick with Jesus when we realise just how much peace really costs? That is the challenge of Palm Sunday.
Jesus choose a special animal for his ride into Jerusalem on that day which we remember this Palm Sunday. Like the tomb into which he would be buried, it had never been used before. Jesus knew the prophecy of Zechariah Chapter 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The inescapable conclusion is that Jesus knew he was fulfilling the expectation which the Jewish people had of a Messiah. That is why people sang out Psalm 118, the psalm of praise which pilgrims always sang on the way to Jerusalem. It was a song of victory, a hymn of praise to a God who defeated all of his foes and established his kingdom. Jesus knows he is the fulfilment of God’s promises for a king who would bring peace to earth from heaven. Jesus is the salvation of God, but he would soon prove to be a disappointment to the crowd. The crowd who cheered him into Jerusalem would soon cheer instead for Barabbas, when they realised that salvation was about a cross, not overthrowing the Romans. What kind of Messiah are you cheering?
Opening Verse of Scripture Matthew 21:9
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Collect Prayer for the Day—Before we read we pray
Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. CW
True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory. CW
(We are using the lectionary readings for Liturgy of the Palms, for the readings for The Passion please see below at bottom of page)
First Reading Zechariah 9.9–12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. NRSV
Second Reading Psalm 118.1–2,19–29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
Let Israel now proclaim, ‘His mercy endures for ever.’
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Come, O Lord, and save us we pray. Come, Lord, send us now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God; he has given us light; link the pilgrims with cords right to the horns of the altar.
You are my God and I will thank you; you are my God and I will exalt you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. CW